Form-supporting device



FORM SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed May 26i 1.923

Patented July 9, 1929.

MAX ANDERS EKLOF, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FoRM-sUPPoaTING DEVICE Application filed May 26, 1928. Serial No. 280,869.

My invention relates to form, supporting devices and more particularly to devices for use in building constructions to effectively support forms or molds employed for associating concrete and cement with the steel structural work.

In general my invention contemplates the provision of a supporting device of simple and economical construction which includes a keeper member adapted to engage the Work with which it is associated, said keeper being provided with struck out portions for receiving supporting strips, said struck out portions being vdesigned to effectively cleat the strip in position with respect to the keeper in response to the application of pressure to the struck out portion.

' More specifically an object of my present invention resides in the provision of a supporting device which includes a keeper memer comprising a plate having a portion struck out of the plane of the plate and adapted to permit the threading therethrough of supporting strips and being furf ther adapted to firmly secure or cleat the strip in position upon the keeper member in response to the application of sufficient pressure to cause the crimping of said strip adjacent the struck out portion.

Another object Aof my present invention is to provide a supporting means of simple dcsign including a keeper member comprising a plate or body portion having awork engaging portion formed along the margin of the body portion, said bodv portion being struck out to form a cleat adapted to receive a supporting strip or member, and being further adapted to efl'ect the crimping of the associated strip in response to the iapplication of a sharp blow, thereby firmly connecting the supporting strip with said keeper.

It is a further objectof my invention to provide a device of the. instant nature which is particularly adaptable for use in connection with building constructions and to this end I propose to -provide a keepermember which is designed to grip the flange portion of steel beams and the like and which is provided with a struck out -portion adapted to receive strips employed to properly associate a form or mold with the work, said keeper being so constructed and arranged as to permit of .the convenient tightening of said suporting strips during the association of the orm with the work and being further dcsigned to effect the crimping of the strip in response to the sharp blow of a hammer or the like, to thereby effectively interlock the strip with saidkeeper.

A still further object of my present invention resides in the provision of a supporting device for forms and the like employed in building construction, said device comprising a keeper member which may be formed from a flat strip of metal, said keeper being formed at one end thereof with a hook portion for engaging the fiange of a steel beam and another portion adapted to rest upon the outer surface of 'a beam flange, said portion being provided with cleats struck out of the plane ef the stock and adapted to permit the convenient threading of mold supporting strips therethrough and designed to mterlockingly engage or cleat said strip with respect to the keeper upon the application of a blow which is suicient to cause the crimping of the portion of the strip passing through said cleat.

In addition to the above mentioned advantageous characteristics, my invention further contemplates the provision of a form supporting device for building constructions and the like which includes a keeper adapted to be positioned at any point along the external surface of the flange of a beam, one end of the keeper having a hook portion for engaging the edge of said flange and struck out cleat portions provided in said keeper for receiving and securing a form supporting strip in position, and another keeper member adapted to engage the outer surface of a form andY the outer extremity of said form supporting strip so as to effectively control the lateral positioning of the form with respect to the beam1 These. and other obiects will be more apparent from the following detailed vdescription when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved supporting device shown in operative association with an I beam and a form or mold associated therewith for receiving concrete;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a similar transverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the keeper and a form supporting strip shown in operative association therewith, prior to the crimping of said strip;

Figure 5 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the keeper and strip shown in Figure 4, after the stri has been crimped in response to the 4application of a blow upon response to the application of the keeper;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the form engaging keeper member, a form supporting strip being shown in association with the keeper prior to the crimping thereof; and

Figure 7 discloses a modified or alternative form of the invention for use in connection with U beams.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be observed that one embodiment of my invention resides in the provision of a keeper member indicated generally by the numeral 2, Figure 4, which may be constructed of suitable sheet material, preferably steel. This keeper member comprises a body or plate portion 4 which is formed at one extremity with a hook portion 6 designed for engaging the edge of a flange 8 of a structural beam 10. The body portion 4 of the keeper member is provided with struck out portions or cleats 12 and these cleats are adapted to readily permit the threading therethrough of a strip 14' which is `used for supportin forms or molds 16 as clearly shown in igures 1 and 2.

The form 16 which I have disclosed merely for purposes of illustrating a practical application of my improved sup orting device, comprises side walls .18 an a suitable base portion 20 as shown in Figure 2. In

order to facilitate the initial proper positioning of the form 16 with respect to the beam 10, I provide suitable members 22 which extend inwardly from the walls 18 of the form and similar members 24 which extend upwardly from the base 20 of the form. When the form is initially carried into association with the beam 10, these members 22 serve to.

effect the proper lateral positioning of the form and the members 24 serve to properly space the base of the form with respect to the bottom of the beam. It will be observed that the strips 14, which are of'suitalole metallic construction, may be threaded through apertures 26, Figure 2, provided along the base 2O and the upper extremities thereof threaded through the struck outportions or cleats l12 of theY keepers 2 positioned on the upper flange of the beam, Figure-1. By merely applying a sharp blow as by means of a hammer to the cleat 12 of one of the keepers, the strip 14 will be crimped in the manner shown in Figure 5 so as to effectively interlock said strip and cleat. After this one extremity of the strip has been secured to its companion keeper in the manner just described, the opposite extremity of the strip may be gripped by any suitable or conventional strip tightening means (not shown). 'When said strip has been sutliciently tightened, a sharp blow may similarly be applied to the cleats of the other keeper thereby rendering both extremities of the strip secured to their respective keepers so as to effectively support the form 16. Experience has shown that by securing the strip to the keepers in the manner described, relative movement between said parts is positively precluded, and in fact the gripping action of the cleat is sufiicient to withstand any force or stress to which the strip may be subjected. From the foregoing it will be observed /that in associating the keepers with the beam and in subsequently cleating the strip in position, there is no longitudinal movement of the keepers with respect to the beam and hence said keepers may be initially positioned in proper spaced relationship along the beam. In other words, the force which is applied to the keepers for the purpose of securing the same to the extremity of the strips is applied transversely of the beam and not longitudinally thereof, thereby preeludin the possibility of any shifting movement o the keepers longitudinally of the beam with which they are associated.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood how I employ my improved keeper members for securing the extremities of a strip which is passed through the bottom portion 20 of the form and it will also be observed that I employ certain 'of said keepers for supporting the form in proper lateral position with respect to thebeam. In this connection I employ a keeper indicated generally by the numeral 2a, Figures l and 6, which includes a body portion 4 simulating the body portion 4 ofthe keeper 2 shown in Figure 4.. The keeper 2 is also provided with struck out portions or cleats 12 which function similarly to the cleats 12 of the keeper 2 and one extremity of `the keeper 2 is provided with flanges 28 which are designed to engage the outer surface of a horizontal strip 30 which forms a portion of the side wall structure of the form 16. The extremity of one of the strips 14 is first threaded through the cleats 12*L and a sharp blow applied to said cleats in order to crimp the strip and secure the same in position with respect to the keeper and the opposite extremity of the strip is then threaded through the side wall of the form and then through the cleats 12 of one of the keepers 2 which is positioned with its hook portion 6 in engagement with the flange 8 of the beam. By gripping the inner extremity of the strip adjacent the keeper 2 in a suitable manner, the flanges 28 of the keepers 2a Willbe carried into engagement with the outer surface of the strip 30, and when the strip has beeii sufficiently tightened, the cleats 12 of the' keeper. 2 may be struck so as to crimp the strip, thereby effecting the proper lateral position of the form with respect to the beam. Obviously a strip having another of the keepers 2a secured to the extremity thereof may be passed through the opposite wall of the form 16 andthe inner end of said strip secured to another of the keepers 2 which engages` the opposite flange portion of the beam. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the tightening of the strips will serve to effectively and securely position the form in proper relation with respect to the beam to permit of the introduction of concrete or cement into the form. The strips in this instance not only serve as effective means for supporting the form, but also as rei nforcing structure for the concrete or cement (not shown) which is associated with the form.

In instances Where beams of the U type are employed, I propose to use the keeper 2b shown in Figure 7. This keeper 2* merely presents a duplication of the keeper 2 shown in Figure 4 or in other words is -twice as wide as the keeper 2. The keeper 2b is provided with cleats 12b and a hook portion 6" which is adapted to engage the flange of the beam in a lnanner similar to that described in connection with the use of the keeper 2. From Figure 7 it will be apparent that the keeper 2b presents a unitary device for securing both extremities 0f the strip 14. In use, the strip is threaded through the bottom of the form and through the cleats 12b of the keeper similarly to the manner described in connection with the association of the strip of the keepers 2 upon the I beam l0. After the strip haslbeen thus positioned, one of the extremities thereof is secured to the keeper 2b by applying a blow or pressure to the cleats companion to said extremity. A force may then be applied longitudinally of the strip by gripping the opposite extremity thereof and the` cleats companion to said extremity may be tightened thereagainst.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that my invention provides a very convenient means of simple and economical construction for anchoring the extremities of supporting strips and the like. The keepers which I have described may be formed from flat malleable stock because of the unitary construction thereof. My device is adaptable for use in supporting conventional types of forms with a minimum degree of effort and skill and the firm gripping or cleating effect which is produced when the struck out portions of the keeper are' subjected to the blow of a hammer so as to crimp'the supporting strips, serves to positively secure the form in proper position. In fact, after the strip has been crimped by the cleats of the keepers the strength of the gripping effect thus produced exceeds the tensile strength of the strip material. As hereinbefore set forth, the keepers are not subjected to the lateral forces during the application thereof to the beams and hence the possibility of shifting said keepers longitudinally of the beam during the assembling operation is precluded. Thus said keepers may be distributed iu predetermined spaced relation along the beam and obviously this feature greatly facilitates the uniform distribution of form supporting structures along the beam.

It is to be observed that in tightening the keepers in position upon the beams, as for example the types shown in Figures at and the outer vertical surface of the hook portion of the keepers provides an abutment for the tool (not shown) which is employed to subjcct the strips to tension. In other words` when the strip let is engaged by the conventional tool and urged to the right as viewed in Figure 5. said tool may bc brought to bear against the hook portion of the keeper. In this manner the strip is pulled in one direction and the keeper is secured in position b v reason of the engagement of the tool therewith in the opposite direction. Thus the outer surface of the hook portion of the keeper is adapted to provide a bearing surface for the conventional tool which is employed to tighten the strip.

Although I have disclosed and described my improved keeper member in connection with a particular structure. namely. a mold for I and U beams. it will be apparent that keepers constructed in accordance with thc teachings of my invention are capable of many other applications and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my inveuion. what I claim new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a supporting device of the class dcscribed. a keeper member having one portion adapted to interlock with the work and another portion struck out of the plane of' thc keeper stock for receiving a supporting stri p and. adapted to cleat said supporting strip in position.

2. In a. supporting device of the class de scribed. a keeper member having one portion adapted to interlock with the work and another portion struck out of the plane of the keeper stock for receiving a supporting strip and adapted when force is applied thereto to crimp the supporting strip and thereby effectively secure said strip to the keeper.

3. In a supporting device of the class described. a keeper member having one portion adapted for anchorage with the work and another portion struck out from the plane of the keeper stock in one direction and adapted to crimp a supporting strip associated therewith when force is applied in a direction opposite to the direction in which the portions are struck out from the keeper.

4. In a supporting device of a class dellt) 'with the work scribed, a keeper member having a portion adapted for anchoring engagement with the work and another portion struck out plane of the keeper stock so as to present a loop through which a vsupporting strip may be threaded, said loop being adapted to effect the crimping of said strip when a force is applied thereto.

5. In a supporting device of the class described, a keeper member comprising a. bod portion, a portion .formed angularly witi respect tothe body portion for engagement with the work, and a cleat on the body portion for receiving a supporting strip and adapted to crimp said strip when a force is applied to the cleat. y

6. Ina supporting device of the class described, a keeper member comprising a body portion, a portion formed angularly with respect to the body portion for engagement said body portion being provided with a malleable loop for receiving a supporting strip and adapted when force is applied' thereto to crimp the strip material, thereby effectively securing said strip material to the keeper.

7. In a form clamp, a strip for inter-connecting the form and another member such as a beam, and 'a keeper having a body portion provided with cleats extending out of the plane of the keeper stock, said cleats adapted when strip material is associated therewith, to crimp said strip material in response to the application of a force to the cleat, said keeper having a lateral portion for engaging the work.

8. In a form clamp, a keeper comprising a body portion adapted to engage the outer surface of a beam flange and another portion for engaging the edge of the Harige, said body portion being formed with cleat members struck out of the plane thereof and adapted to receive a supporting strip and to secure said strip in position upon the application of a force to the cleat members. 9. In` a supporting device of the class de.- scribed, a keeper member constructed of flat, malleable stock and having a portion struck out of the stock to present a cleat, said cleat being yadapted upon the application of sufficient force to be deformed and to thereby grip a member associated therewith so as to secure said member against movement relative to the keeper, said keeper having a lateral portion ,for engaging the work.

10. In a device of the class described. a keeper member having a malleable cleat for receiving a strip of material, the malleable characteristic of said cleat serving' to render the same deformable in response to the application of a force thereto which is sufof the ficient to crimp the associated portion of the strip material, thereby securing 'said strip against lon itudinal displacement with respect to the eeper, said keeper having a lateral portion forengaging the work.

11. In a form supporting device of the class described, a keeper member having a body portion of malleable flat stock, said body portion being provided with a struck-out section for receiving a form supporting strip and adapted, when force is applied thereto, to crimp said strip, thereby effectively securing said stripto the keeper, the body portion of said keeper being provided with a lateral section formed integral therewith for engaging the work so as to secure proper position for application to the Work.

l2. In a form supporting device of the class described, a unitary keeper member having one portion adapted to interlock with the work and another portion struck-out of the plane of the keeper stock for receiving a supporting strip and adapted, when force is applied thereto, to crimp the supportingstrip and thereby effectively secure said strip to the keeper, the interlocking portion of said keeper providing a surface against which a strip tightening tool may bear when tension is being applied thereby to the strip.

13. In a form supporting device of the class described, a unitary keeper member having a body portion adapted to engage the Work, said body portion being provided with a lateral portion adapted to interlock with the Work so as to secure the keeper in proper position upon the work, said body portion being provided with sections struck-out of the plane of the keeper stock, one of said sections adapted to receive one terminal of a supporting strip and another of said sections adapted to receive the opposite end of said supporting strip, whereby when force is applied to said struck-out sections, the extremisaid supporting strip may be effectively ties of secured to the keeper.

14. In a form supporting device of the class described, a keeper member having a body portion provided with sections struckout of the plane of the keeper stock for receiving la supporting strip and adapted, when force is applied thereto, to crimp the supporting strip and thereby effectively secure said strip to the keeper, .said keeper being further provided with -a flange extending laterally with respect to the body portion and adapted to engage a surface of the form to be supported thereby.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

MAX ANDERS EKLOF.

said keeper in 

